Samsung makes loads of these Android devices. Sony's cut the Ericsson ties but still is cranking out the Google-branded handsets.

Then you've got Android-powered phones from Acer, LG, Huawei, Motorola, ZTE and many others, and while HTC has ceased the practice of releasing more phones than centipedes have shoes (they do wear them, you know) it's still one of the more prominent Android manufacturers.

The many variations in screen size, processor power, software features and design makes finding the best Android phone for you extremely tough.

Do you physically and emotionally need a QWERTY keyboard? Are you the sort of oddball who prefers the rough pressing needed to make resistive touchscreens work? If so, you won't find much luck here, as those technologies are sadly phased out of the Android world as buyers get enamoured by fancy, glossy capacitive touchscreens.

To help find the best Android phone for you, we've rounded up the best Android handsets out there today, rating the phones on hardware performance, OS upgrade potential and, of course, how shiny and nice they are to have and boast about to work colleagues.

So here they are - the best Android phones money can buy today. For many, many different reasons.

10. Samsung Galaxy Note 3

The Samsung Galaxy Note 3 is alive and kicking and breathes yet more life into a mobile form factor many thought would be dead on arrival, ramping up the specs and the size to give us a new monolith of mobile.

It may be big, but the 5.7-inch display is fantastic and the Full HD Super AMOLED technology makes everything pop from websites to movies.

What really impressed us with the Galaxy Note 3 though was its battery life and sheer speed under the finger. We're used to a day at best when hardcore using the device, but we got far past that without breaking a sweat throughout our tests.

Quick verdict

This is the best Galaxy Note smartphone to date, so if you're looking for a supersized handset with impressive power and a wide range of features the Galaxy Note 3 has got you covered.

9. Samsung Galaxy S4

Samsung may have been top dog in 2012, but since those glory days the sultry stylings of the HTC One and craziness of the LG G2 have proven too strong against a phone that's a slightly-better-version of its predecessor.

There's a lot to love with the Samsung Galaxy S4 with its super sharp screen, powerful camera, long-lasting battery and fluid user interface - it's got everything you could ever want in a smartphone.

It may be a little more costly than some of its direct rivals, but thankfully it's still cheaper than the iPhone. If only it was made out of something a little more premium.

Quick verdict

There's no doubt that this was one of the best smartphone ever made when it launched last year. But now that it's a year older, it isn't able to keep up with some of the newer handsets. It's still worth a second glance though, especially if you can get it nice and cheap.

6. Sony Xperia Z1 Compact

The problem with all these flagship Android phones these days is that people with smaller hands have to struggle to use them. Fortunately, that has inspired a new range of 'mini' devices, which take elements of the flagship and shrink them down in both size and price.

The Xperia Z1 Compact is the best of the bunch. Not only does it combine the Xperia Z1's waterproof body with a range of colours, it brings great battery life and affordable price to the handset as well.

Sure, a screen that's less than 1080p may not impress everyone, but Sony's great UI and camera should keep the masses satisfied.

Quick verdict

If 5-inches is an inch too far for you, this is the pick of the smaller Android devices. Plus, it comes in a range of colours, and everyone likes colours, right?